See the thing is, I always get a sinking feeling when I come across a CD that has a “concept” and The Good Listeners’ concept was especially frightening. Their plan - lock themselves in a rented house with no contact with the outside world and write 10 songs in 10 days. Day One’s song would be written, arranged and recorded, then filed away without any further finessing. And so on to Day Ten.

Amazing, but these guys pulled off an incredible collection. Of course the CD has its weak spots, but there are more honestly good songs put down here than you’ll get from buying any Top 40 CD.

I think one of the wisest moves the guys made was not confining themselves to presenting the songs in the order they were recorded. For one thing, that took away my initial, although not intended, bias in expecting the first songs to be the weakest, which is not the case.

“Light From Sound” (Day Six) is a great retro-sounding, fall-out shelter dance tune, but I think the lyrics get some eras intertwined. Helter Skelter, Farrah, Nazis and Jane Fonda? Oh well, time’s all fluid in music anyway.

“Fight The Magic Eagle” (Day Seven) is a gnarly bit of noise, but since it’s only 55 seconds long it gets transformed into a snip of eccentricity. Who can complain about that?

Another thing I expected - despite my brave attempts at objectivity - was that the songs would be pretty similar. Again, this is not the case. The Good Listeners definitely have their own sound, but the variety of musical styles is impressive.

I can’t wait for this duo’s next concept. Bring it on and shatter all my prejudices. I love that. Take a listen and reward The Good Listeners at www.thegoodlisteners.com or why not go ahead and add them to your friends list at www.myspace.com/thegoodlisteners.

Why is that when I listen to the radio I never hear bands like this? Has all of radio gone gutless and brain-dead?With the CD “A Lot To Live” the band Rookie proves they are way ready for radio - at least the radio all punk-pop rockers wish existed.

Rookie’s “A Lot To Live” breaks out immediately with insistent, driving guitars and forceful drums in “Rap Star.” Doug Kreitzer’s voice matches the intensity without a hint of indecision or self-indulgence.

The sound is consistent throughout the CD, except for the fourth track, “Heartbreaker,” which mixes peppy little acoustic guitars with a bleak little song. It was grating, but fortunately short. Otherwise, the band puts out tight sounds, tight vocals and harmony that kicks in to boost the lyrics without intruding on Kreitzer’s lead.

Eleven great songs from a 12 track CD? That’s freakin’ unheard of in today’s “music industry.”

I loved Track 2, “OK Love.” It’s a love song for a young millennium, but it shines brightest when it shifts into the sound of the early Psychedelic Furs. (Interesting, since I’ve heard some of the members might not be fans of ’80s music.) Well, it sits great with me and doesn’t come off as an obvious imitation.

What would I find to criticize on this CD? Definitely that it’s too short. It’s strange, the songs feel fully realized, but the CD is over before you know it. No big deal though, just listen to it again. It’s worth your time.

Rookie is: Doug Kreitzer - vocals and rhythm guitar; Tommy Cappel - guitar and vocals; Steve Sherman - bass; Jay Baskette - drums.

Pick up the CD at www.rookierocks.com.